Any theory analyzing something in terms of its function; that is, any theory claiming that the best, or only, way of defining something is in terms of what it does or the role it plays in the ongoing course of events.
Functionalism tends to define things in terms of their causes and effects, and, in particular, a functionalist in philosophy of mind defines mental states and properties in terms of their causes and their effects as seen in behavior. Two such states or properties will be the same if they have the same causes and effects.
An objection alleged against such functionalism is that it cannot account for the ‘inner’ nature of conscious experience, for it seems possible in principle that two people might be subject to the same stimuli and exhibit the same behavior while having different inner experiences; or one of them might have none at all (that is, be a zombie).
Source:
N Malcolm, ‘”Functionalism” in Philosophy of Psychology’, Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society (1979-80)
Table of Contents
- 1 Videos
- 2 Related Products
- 2.1 The Priest's Communion with Christ: Dispelling Functionalism
- 2.2 Functionalism
- 2.3 Focus On: 100 Most Popular Sociological Theories: Marxism, Frankfurt School, Positivism, Social Darwinism, Social Network, Feminist Theory, Social Constructionism, ... Functionalism, Dunbar's Number, etc.
- 2.4 Functionalism Historicized: Essays on British Social Anthopology (Volume 2) (History of Anthropology)
- 2.5 Investigating Social Problems
- 2.6 Functionalism
- 2.7 Functionalism (The Benjamin/Cummings series in contemporary sociology)
- 2.8 Could Machines Think?
- 2.9 Functionalism (Original Mix)
- 2.10 Ready Yet?
Videos
The Priest's Communion with Christ: Dispelling Functionalism
- Fr Eugene M Florea (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 126 Pages - 05/24/2018 (Publication Date) - Institute of Priestly Formation (Publisher)
Functionalism (The Benjamin/Cummings series in contemporary sociology)
- Turner, Jonathan H. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 147 Pages - 06/01/1979 (Publication Date) - Benjamin-Cummings Pub Co (Publisher)
Could Machines Think?
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- David Johnson (Writer) - The Great Courses (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
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